Sustainable Baughurst submitted a proposal to Baughurst Parish Council in February 2024 which outlined the plan for a Community Orchard. The proposal, edited by Anne Ayres and Angela Hare, was accepted by the council and action was taken to identify possible orchard sites. In late March 2024, this resulted in two sites being agreed for orchards, one in Long Grove, Baughurst, and one opposite the Heath End Village Hall which already has a mature apple and two damson tress growing there.

The locations for the orchard sites are as shown below. Plans were drawn up for the main orchard site and a grant requested was submitted to Hampshire Forest Partnership in November 2024. This was approved and hence plans were then made for the planting of the initial trees and the hedges needed to contain the site.

The detail of the primary site is as follows. The What3Words location of the centre of the site is ///think.firework.imported. It shows the site and the location of over 45m of hedging and the initial 22 trees to be planted. Originally 12 trees were ordered for the site but an error in delivery saw 22 being delivered. The plan was quickly revised to accommodate the new trees.

The project has progressed in association with the Hampshire Forest Partnership, who continue to provide advice and guidance to the group. The items obtained from the HFP are as follows:

22 fruit trees
22 stakes
22 tree guards – which will be upgraded to 1.8m wire guards in the near future.

53 m hedging whips (excluding thorny species) at 5 per metre (265 in total)
whip guards and canes
One tonne bag of mulch

Planting Complete

Planting was carried out on 8th February when over 50 members of the community, including some very interested children, came along to plan the trees and hedging whips. The team started their work at 11:00am helped along by supplies of cakes and hot drinks from the neighbours.

Some of the layout team working at the site on 1st February to prepare the site for planting. The plans were changed during the following week as more trees than expected were delivered.

Baughurst Community Unites to Plant Orchard

In a heart-warming display of community spirit, over 50 residents and friends of Baughurst braved the cold and rain on 8th February to transform a piece of land at Long Grove into a thriving orchard. Led by local resident Kevin, who tirelessly promoted the project, the community came together to plant 22 fruit trees, including varieties of apple, plum, and pear, along with 250 hedgerow plants: all donated by the Hampshire Forest Partnership.

Each tree was carefully staked and labelled, and plans are underway to add signage, tree guards, benches, and further plants; creating a serene space for locals to relax, enjoy and learn from nature.

Children played a significant role in the day’s activities, eagerly helping with the planting and constructing bug hotels to attract beneficial wildlife. Anne, one of the project’s proposers, expressed her joy at seeing the younger generation so excited and involved.

A gallery of the events of 8th February is attached.

Gallery of Planted Orchard

Site Prior to Planting

Images of the site prior to planting are attached.

Orchard Tree Details

The trees we have ordered for the initial phase of the orchard are:

Apple Varieties

1. Falstaff (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Falstaff is self-fertile and also serves as a good pollinator for other apple trees. It produces crisp, juicy apples with a sweet flavour.
2. Katy (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; yields improve with a pollination partner. Katy apples are bright red, with a refreshing taste, perfect for eating fresh or making cider.
3. Cox’s Orange Pippin (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Requires a pollination partner. It’s renowned for its rich, complex flavour—an all-time favourite among apple enthusiasts.
4. Bramley (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Culinary (Cooking) Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3 / 4
   • Notes: Bramley is a triploid variety, meaning it needs two different pollination partners. It’s the quintessential cooking apple, known for its sharp taste that mellows when cooked.
5. Grenadier (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Culinary (Cooking) Apple
   • Pollination Group: 2
   • Notes: Not self-fertile; requires a pollination partner. Grenadier is one of the earliest cooking apples, great for making sauces and pies.
6. James Grieve (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dual-purpose Apple (Dessert and Culinary)
   • Pollination Group: 2
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; better crops with cross-pollination. It’s versatile—tart when picked early, sweetening as it matures.
7. Discovery (Rootstock: MM106)
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile; benefits from a pollination partner. Discovery is early-ripening, with a sweet flavour and a hint of strawberry.
8. Jelly King Crab Apple
   • Type: Crab Apple
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: An excellent pollinator for the orchard. Produces large, bright pink fruits ideal for jellies and attract pollinators like bees.
9. Braeburn Clone Hillwell (Rootstock: MM106) 4 off
   • Type: Dessert Apple
   • Pollination Group: 4
   • Notes: Vigorous and productive, but low maintenance.  Crisp, red-skinned fruit with balanced flavour, good for eating or suitable for baking and salads.

Pear Varieties

1. Conference (Rootstock: Quince A) 4 off
   • Type: Dessert Pear
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Partially self-fertile but yields improve with a pollination partner. Conference pears are sweet, juicy, and reliable performers.
2. Williams’ Bon Chrétien (Green William) (Rootstock: Quince A)
   • Type: Dessert Pear
   • Pollination Group: 3
   • Notes: Not self-fertile; requires a pollination partner. Known for its aromatic, buttery flesh—delicious fresh or in desserts.

Plum Variety

1. Victoria (Rootstock: St. Julien A) 4 off
   • Type: Dual-purpose Plum (Dessert and Culinary)
   • Pollination: Self-fertile
   • Notes: No pollination partner needed. Victoria is a classic plum with sweet, juicy fruits—great eaten fresh or used in jams.

Damson Variety

1. Shropshire Prune (Rootstock: St. Julien A)
   • Type: Damson (Culinary)
   • Pollination: Partially Self-fertile
   • Notes: Will fruit on its own, but a nearby plum or damson can boost yields. It produces small, rich-flavoured fruits perfect for preserves and baking.

Tree Location Details

Additional Information

• Pollination Groups: Fruit trees are grouped based on their flowering time. Trees in the same or adjacent groups can cross-pollinate.
  • Group 2: Early flowering
  • Group 3: Mid-season flowering
  • Group 4: Late flowering
• Rootstocks:
  • MM106 (Apples): Semi-vigorous; ideal for medium-sized trees. Good balance between size and fruiting.
  • Quince A (Pears): Semi-vigorous; produces a moderate-sized tree with good fruit production.
  • St. Julien A (Plums/Damsons): Semi-vigorous; suitable for a range of soil conditions and produces reliable crops.

Cross-Pollination Tips

Shropshire Prune benefits from nearby plum trees for increased yield.

Apples:

Since many of the apple varieties are in Group 3, they can effectively pollinate each other. Braeburn apples are self-fertile, which means they do not necessarily need another apple variety to pollinate and produce fruit. However, having a compatible pollination partner can improve fruit yield and quality. Some good pollination partners for Braeburn include Cox’s Orange Pippin, Discovery, and Golden Delicious.

Bramley is a triploid; it cannot pollinate other trees but needs two other different varieties nearby for good fruit set.

Jelly King Crab Apple is a fantastic pollinator for all the apples, extending the pollination period due to its abundant blossoms.

Pears:

Both Conference and Williams’ Bon Chrétien are in Group 3 and can cross-pollinate.

Conference being partially self-fertile means it will produce fruit alone but will yield more with a partner.

Plums and Damsons:

Victoria is self-fertile but will produce heavier crops with a pollination partner.

Article in Newbury Today 18/2/25